Downtown Living - Problems and Solutions

 One of my goals was to live in an apartment downtown. Fort Wayne has pretty great accessibility because of sidewalks and an extensive, city-wide bicycle trail called The River Greenway. How amazing would it be to be able to get around on my own, to be within walking (rolling?) distance of great restaurants, parks, churches, and street festivals! And that has definitely proven wonderful for me. 

There were two major issues I did not foresee: 

  1. I couldn't come and go from my apartment whenever I want, because I cannot open, close, or lock my front door on my own.
  2. Downtown parking for my friends is hard to find, and not cheap. 

But I'm forever in problem-solving mode, so I went to work tackling these issues by taking a deep breath, reminding myself of what is true, and getting creative:

Independence is not about being alone, but about creatively using the resources around you. So, I just plan my comings and goings around when my friends are with me. I'll leave at the same time my caregiver is leaving, and then I'll plan to stay out until the next person comes. Then I'll either have them meet me where I am or meet up with them at the front door of the building. If my friends have the time and flexibility, they join me on my outings too, which gives us more time to get to know each other. 

Doing a new and truly unique thing means you must think WAY outside the box. With the help of some brilliant minds, I came up with a crazy idea for how to solve the guest parking situation. I went to the YMCA, which is only a few short blocks from my apartment, and asked to speak with the manager. I knew I needed to go in person, because my request was highly unusual, and I wanted them to see that I am not a creepy, sketchy person but am legitimately in a wheelchair and of sound mind! I briefly explained the predicament, then asked, "If I got an extra parking pass for my garage, could the Y be a sort of drop-off/pick-up point, where my care team members could get access it when they come to help me?" Incredibly, the manager really liked the idea, said yes, and informed her whole staff of the unique plan. It was the best location I could think of because they are typically open very early and very late, and there is always someone at the welcome desk. 

I was able to procure a second parking pass and access card for the garage at my apartment building, which were in my name but not specifically linked to my license plate, so they acted as a generic guest pass. I also got a second key card to access the front door of the building. I put these items in an envelope, labeled it "Connie's Care Team," and wrote a secret codeword on it. After I took it to the Y, I sent a text to my care team, letting them know about the scheme and the codeword - they had to give the codeword in order for the staff and the Y to release the "package" to them. (Yes, it is deliciously espionage!) In this way, caregivers can pick up the keys on their way to meet me, get a free parking spot in the garage, and let themselves in the building. When they're done, they take the keys back to the Y for the next person to use.  

Pretty cool system, right?!

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